Additional Learning Opportunities

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Science Discovery Squad Volunteer Program

Scroll all the way down to see the many opportunities available!

The SEP Digital Library

Links and/or information relevant to SEP Science Kits and the Science Discovery Squad Volunteer Program include:

  • Science Kit Teacher Information & Links

  • SDS Volunteer Program Links & Videos

  • ​Taylor Talks Environmental Science Series

  • Canada Agriculture Links

  • Quick links to short videos about SEP Programs

SDS Virtual Library​ ​  

Taylor Talks Environmental Science Sessions

Taylor Maris is an Environmental Engineer who is excited to bring her passion for environmental awareness to our students through a series of monthly virtual sessions called “Taylor Talks". ​

Each Google Meet session will address curriculum topics in a different grade.  Participation for each session will be capped at 90 classrooms to maintain quality streaming. 

​​Invitations to sign up will be sent directly to grade specific teachers in both the LKDSB and SCCDSB, (through their respective elementary program departments,) in the appropriate month.

Wonder Wednesday Science Sessions

Similar to the format used for Taylor Talks, SDS Volunteers and Special Guest Volunteers offer virtual science learning opportunities.    

As events are scheduled, invitations to sign up will be sent directly to grade appropriate teachers in both the LKDSB and SCCDSB through their respective elementary program departments.

National Engineering Month Activities

Truss Building Challenge:  In conjunction with the local chapters of the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO), the Science Education Partnership offers schools the chance to participate in an activity celebrating National Engineering Month.  A memo regarding the annual activity is shared with grade-appropriate teachers in mid-October.

This hands-on structural engineering activity is offered in two formats:  

  • Virtual Activity - With the help of instructional videos created by PEO and SDS volunteers, students will work individually to design, draw, and build a truss structure from craft sticks and white glue.   The classroom teacher will perform in-class testing using a specially designed test rig that safely allows students to measure the load as force is applied to the structure.   Teachers can work through this activity at their own pace.   ​​

  • In-Person Activity – A pair of NEM volunteers will visit the classroom to lead students through the activity.  Students will work in pairs to design, draw, and build a truss structure using craft sticks and hot glue.  Volunteers will test the resulting structures by measuring the load at failure.  This activity takes at least two blocks, and will likely go into the third.  Volunteers request that the activity be scheduled to start first thing in the morning.  NOTE: Volunteer manpower is limited, and the number of in-person opportunities will depend on volunteer availability and travel preferences. 

In both cases, students will have the real-world engineering challenge of building the strongest truss they can with the least amount of material. 

This opportunity aligns with expectations in the Gr. 5 Forces Acting on Structures unit.  Teachers can schedule this activity between October and February. All materials will be provided by the SEP Science Centre.  Classes participating in the virtual format will receive construction and testing materials via the interschool courier.

Canada's Agriculture Day 

Who better to talk to your students about where their food comes from than the people that produce it?   In February of each year, the SEP offers a special opportunity for your class to celebrate Canada Agriculture Day.  Local farmers visit interested classrooms to talk about how they grow food, take care of their farm animals, how they care for their soil, and the science that drives modern day agriculture.  

An invitation is sent to all schools in mid-January asking classes to sign up for this activity.  

In addition, a list of agriculture-related web resources is available in the SDS Digital Library. Also included are links to short videos featuring local agriculture volunteers  SDS Virtual Library​ ​​

Science Discovery Squad: In-Person Science Demonstrations

The SDS program mission statement reads: To foster a greater interest in science at the elementary school level through "hands-on" science. Volunteers with a background in science have created interactive, curriculum-linked demonstrations which are offered throughout the school year.

See a list of the SDS Volunteer Demonstrations available for the 2025-2026 school-year listed below.

Sign up for an activity using this form. We will do our very best to accommodate your request, but please know placements are based on volunteer availability and will also depend the travel preferences of the volunteer.

SDS Volunteer Demonstrations Available in 2025-2026

Grade: 2                         Topic: Sugar Science (Liquids and Solids)
Demonstration Duration:100 minutes
Demonstration Description: In pairs, students will work through a series of experiments using sugar and water.
Recommended timing within your unit: anytime

 

Grade: 3                         Topic: Soil
Demonstration Duration: Farmers know that it is important to look after their soil because every living thing depends on soil!  What types of soil do we have in Chatham-Kent and Lambton?  What crops are grown locally?  What do these crops need to grow?  These are just a few questions our volunteer local farmer will answer.  Students will also participate in a hands-on activity that helps them remember what they’ve learned about soil.  .
Demonstration Description: 45 minutes
Recommended timing within your unit: anytime

 

Grade: 4                         Topic: Habitats
Demonstration Duration: 90 minutes
Demonstration Description: This is a two-part activity designed to raise awareness of two connected issues; the well-being of birds and the protection of natural habitats.  Some wild bird populations have declined by more than 70%.  Students will learn about local bird species and their behaviors to gain an understanding of the many roles that birds play within the ecosystem.  An interactive game demonstrates that the balance within a habitat can be disrupted.  Topics discussed during the activity include habitat loss, climate change, adaptations, basic needs, biodiversity and food chains.  NOTE: Part 2 of the activity is done outdoors, (weather permitting,) or in the gym.
Recommended timing within your unit: anytime

 

Grade: 4                         Topic: Light
Demonstration Duration: 200 minutes
Demonstration Description: Concepts covered include: properties of light, reflection, refraction, convex, concave, colour, fiber optics, polarized glass and optical illusions.
Recommended timing within your unit: anytime

 

Grade: 4                         Topic: Sound
Demonstration Duration:60 minutes
Demonstration Description: A whole class interactive demonstration that shows sound is a form of energy that travels in waves.
Recommended timing within your unit: Students should know the terms “pitch” and “volume”.

 

Grade: 4                         Topic: Pulleys & Gears
Demonstration Duration:200 minutes
Demonstration Description:
Pulleys – Students will participate in an interactive demonstration that showcases three types of pulley systems.  Students will lift a load and measure the effort required to do so.  Students also participate in a tug of war that clearly shows the advantage of using a pulley system.
Gears – In small groups, students explore different gear trains, measuring speed and observing gear ratios and changes in direction.  Various everyday uses of gears will be highlighted.  (i.e. a bicycle)
Recommended timing within your unit: Middle to the end of the unit.  Note that “mode” is used in calculations.

 

Grade: 4-5                     Topic: Introduction to Coding – Cup Stacking Activity
Demonstration Duration: 160 minutes
Demonstration Description: Students will start with an “unplugged” activity to understand the logical set of steps required to recreate a pattern of stacked cups.  After a brief introduction to Scratch, volunteers will lead them through a “plugged” version of the activity.
Recommended timing within your unit: Recommended for students who have very little experience with Scratch.

 

Grade:5-6                      Topic: Coding:  Mars Helicopter Activity
Demonstration Duration: 120 minutes
Demonstration Description: In this activity, students use Scratch to create a video game that lets players explore the Red Planet with a helicopter like NASA’s Ingenious.
Recommended timing within your unit: Recommended for students with Scratch experience

 

Grade: 5-6                     Topic: Coing:  Zombie Doctor Game
Demonstration Duration:120 minutes
Demonstration Description: After a brief review of Scratch, students create their own “Zombie Doctor” video game.
Recommended timing within your unit: Recommended for students with Scratch experience.

 

Grade: 5-6                     Topic: Coding – Spirographs, Fractals and Kaleidoscopes
Demonstration Duration:120 minutes
Demonstration Description:  In this activity students use Scratch’s pen extension to draw fascinating dynamic patterns.  Students are introduced to user-created blocks (i.e. subroutines), arguments, parameters, and recursion.
Recommended timing within your unit: Recommended for students with Scratch experience.

 

Grade: 5-6                     Topic: Gravity
Demonstration Duration:90 minutes
Demonstration Description: Questions this interactive demonstration will answer include: What is gravity?  What did Galileo and Newton learn about gravity from falling objects?  How do pendulums work?  What is escape velocity?  Why do satellites stay in orbit?  How does gravity affect tides?
Recommended timing within your unit: anytime

Grade: 6                         Topic: Flight
Demonstration Duration:180 minutes
Demonstration Description: An introduction will review the properties of air, Bernoulli’s Principal, Newton’s Third Law, adaptations that allow animals to fly, and a brief history of flight.  The second part of the activity requires use of the gym.  Students will test gliders to determine how different variables, (wing position, tail position, nose weight, and launching thrust,) affect flight.
Recommended timing within your unit: Later in the unit

 

Grade: 6                         Topic: Electricity
Demonstration Duration: 120 to 180 minutes
Demonstration Description:  In small groups of 2-3, students will work through several activities.  Students connect batteries in different ways and measure voltages, work with magnets and an electromagnet to understand the connections between magnetism and electricity, compare different materials to see what conducts electricity, and are introduced to the concept of current.  The session concludes with a demonstration using a plasma ball.  
Recommended timing within your unit: end of the unit.

 

Grade: 7                         Topic: Heat
Demonstration Duration:80-100 minutes
Demonstration Description:  This demonstration is intended to extend student understand of heat and temperature; specifically, how properties of common materials change with decreasing temperature.  NOTE: This activity needs to be done in the gym or other spacious area.
Recommended timing within your unit: middle to the end of the unit.